Folding table



FCLDING TABLE l I Filed Jan. 18,'1939 l 3 sheets-sheet 1 III l INVENTOR ara/d 1591100 l A BY @07m/L, ATTORNEYS Sept. l0, 1940.. H- HOWE FOLDING TABLE Y Filed Jan. 18. 1939 -3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR v .fw/ 2' @We sept. 1o, 1940 H. HOWE v.2313,985

FOLDING TABLE Filed Jan. 18, 19:"59 f s sheets-sheet 3 INVENTR ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 1.0, 1-940 v v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDDTG TABLE Harold Howe, Darien, Conn.

Application January 18, 1939, Serial No. 251,450 i2 claimsl (o1. 4a-sa2) This invention relates to a combined folding and what I now consider to be the best mode table and container for portable typewriters. Its in which I have contemplated applying that object is to provide Ya. combination stand'and principle. Other embodiments of the invention container associated with each other in such a vembodying the same principle may be used and y 6 way that the stand may be carried with the typestructural changes made as desired by those 5 writer and always be readily available for use skilled in the art within the spirit of the ap- E and with the least manipulation and arrangepended claims and without departing from the ment Von the part of an operator. The construcpresent invention.

tion of the container is such that two compart- In the drawings Figure 1 is a general view of 10 ments are provided, one for the typewriter and the closed carrier-box. l0

' one for the legs which constitute the stand Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l with the subupon which the typewriter and typewriter base base partially raised and the legs partially unare mounted. All of the different parts of the folded.. l 4container have functional utility when the as- Fig. 3 shows the leg compartment fully opened sembly is closed for carrying purposes, and also and the rst section of one leg fully unfolded. 15

when the assembly is prepared for supporting a Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the first typewriter and the operators necessary equipsections of all of the legs fully unfolded. ment. Fig. 5 illustrates the general appearance of the Among the objects of the invention is to proapparatus as a table ready for use. vide a convenient construction which can be Fig. 6 is a detail of one of the doub1epivoted 2o easily converted from one adapted for carrying legs in partially raised position. V the typewriter and stand to a fully equipped Fig. 7 is a section online 'I- of Fig. 6 showtable with typewriter ready for use. In keeping the nested relationship of4 the three sections ing with this accomplishment, the invention has constituting a leg. for other objects to provide a design of folding Fig. 8 illustrates the manner in which the leg 25 leg equipment which is relatively simple and insections are designed tospring away from each expensive to make and assemble; to provide a other when released from nested relationship. readily attachable folding leg equipment; to Fig. 9 illustrates all three sections of a leg; and make the legs foldable within the area of a Fig. l0 shows a detail of another manner of standard base of a typewriter, and at the same obtaining springiness in a leg to facilitate the 30 time be extendable for supporting the typewriter unnesting of the sections.- at the regulation height for typewriter opera- As shown in Fig. 1 the general appearance o tion; and to provide a stand which oiers rigidity `the box is that of a carrying case having a base of support and a footing extending outside of the dimension approximating that of a portable area of the base. Each of the legs is made in typewriter. The lower portion of the box, con- 35 three sections which are folded into each other sisting. of a base I and a typewriter box cover when ready for confinement within their enclos- 2, may be very similar to the usual type of coning compartment. The braces supporting one 'tainer .used for carrying typewriters. The base of the legs are so devised that` the leg is raised is provided with the usual means for fastening 40 from its folded position upon the opening of the the typewriter thereto. The base I and cover 2 40 compartment. The other two legs and their are joined together by hinges 3 (Fig. 3) as is cusbraces are so arranged that each leg is thrust tomary. A latch 4 is provided for maintaining outwardly in two directions as it is unfolded from the cover closed when the typewriter is'not in use. i its position of. connement within a compart For convenience I have termed section 5 of lthement. The sections of each leg are so related box as being a sub-base. This sub-base consti- 45 to each other that when they are released from tutes a bottom B having rails or walls 1 about nested relationship they automatically spring its four edges. The sub-base 5 is pivoted to the away from the containing section and become base l by means of hinges B and 9 which are at immediately accessible to the operator for their right angles to the hinges 3 between the cover further extension. 2 and base I. Hinges 8 and 9 have leaves by 50 Further and other objects of the invention will which they are attached to the outer surface of be hereinafter set forth in the accompanying one of the railsv'l and also to the outer side of specication and demonstrated by the drawings the base I so that the sub-base may be swung which show by way of illustration the preferred from its closed position to the open position ilembodiment and the principle of my invention lustrated in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the up- 55 per surface of the board 6 becomes a shelf extending to the left of the main base as the 'operatorIfaces the machine.

The rails 1 which constitute the walls of the sub-base 6, together with. the sub-base, constitute a compartment for enclosing the legs when they are not in use.v In raising this compartment from its closed position, as shown in Fig. 1, leg I0, which is hinged at the same edge of the base as thesub-base is hinged, is raised from its folded position in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2. 'This is accomplished by a pull upon the leg by a folding brace II which is pivotally connected at I3 to the leg fand at I4 to the subbase. When this braces. is fully extended, as shown in Fig. 3, the subibase E is in a position substantially parallel to base I. It is apparent that the sub-base in this position is well supported for use as a shelf, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Leg I is pivotally mounted on hinge! which is in alignment with hinge 8 to which brace I2 is connected. Leg I0 opens to such an extent that its lower end (when unfolded) hes outside of the area of the base ofthe table and under the shelf formed by the sub-base. Folding brace I6, which is pivoted to the leg at I3 and to the bottom of the base at I1, serves to maintain the leg in extended position, when unfolded, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The two remaining legs 20, 2l, of the table are each pivotally secured to hinge tabs I9 by means of pins I8. By virtue of these pins each of the legs 20, 2|, is capable of motion away from the other leg as the two legs are raised from the bottom of the base. The ,manner in which the legs spread apart from each other is apparent from comparing the closed position of the legs illustrated in Fig. 3 and the open position of the legs illustrated in Fig. 4.

Both of the hinge tabs I9 are pivoted upon pins 22 which are in alignment with each other and substantially parallel to the edge 23 of the b'ase or table. By virtue of the freedom of movement `permitted by hinge pins I8 and 22, each leg has two degrees of movement.

'Ihe legs are provided with braces 25 and 26. One end of each brace is pivoted to each leg at 21 and the other ends are pivotally connectedtogether at 28 to a hinge tab. This hinge tab is pivotally secured to the base by another hinge pin 29 which extends substantially parallel to the edge 23 of the base. This latter hinge pin is elevatedv by means of a bracket l30 above the base I to a greater .extent thanlhinge pins 22 are elevated above the base. Because of this, and also because of the position of hinge pin 28 located nearer the edge 23 than the hinge pins 22 are, the two legs 20 will be forced away from each other and outside of the front and back edges 32 and 33, respectively, as they are raised from their folded positions shown in 3. In raising these legs from their folded positions, braces 25 and 26 will pivot slightly on pin 28 and force the two, legs outwardly, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

Braces 25 and 26 are twisted 90 degrees. .As

, may be seen from Fig. 3 one of these braces would end of each brace is pivoted at 21 to a leg. Each brace constitutes two pieces pivoted together at 35. These two :folding braces are made from spring steel so that they may ex to the extent necessary, as sho'wn in Fig. 3, when the legs are folded. This is because the upper end of the legs are in positions determined by the braces 25 and 26 and each bracket 34 is displaced from the line of its associated leg. This displacement is to provide a better supporting structure for the leg when it is extended oif from the corner of the base. The result is a simple and inexpensive construction which has the desired qualities oi' rigidity and strength. "f/

The assembly of the leg structure with the base is facilitated by virtue of connection of the legs and braces with stripsof metal 31 and 38 which are secured to the underside of the base.

It will be at once apparent from the foregoing that a tripod support provided by the legs in which the legs extend far beyond the edges of the base of the table provides astaunch structure for supporting a typewriter. It is to be noted that the upper leg pivot of leg I0 is rearward of the center of the base so as to provide better stability. The construction of the legs and their braces is such that leg 2I is extended sufliciently beyond the edge 33 of the base of table to support the cover of the typewriter box when it is to be used as a receptacle. As shown in Fig. 5, the cover is in position for receivingwork. Inthis position a contact button 33, which is carried by the box, bears upon the side of leg 2I.

Each leg consists of three sections, the lower of which nests into the next upper section when the leg is folded. Figures 6 ancl 7 show the construction of one of the double-pivoted legs20, 2|, in a partially opened position. Each oi.' .these legs is provided with a pair of pivot centers I8 and 22 which are disposed at right angles to each other and thereby enable universal movement of the leg with respect to the base to which it is secured. The upper section, or the one that is pivoted to the base of 4the table, is the larger of the three sections. It consists of a channel member whose anges preferably are of a depth corresponding to the depth of the flanges of the middle section 40 which it contains when the leg is folded. The flanges of the lower section 4I are of less depth than the flanges of the middle section 40 so that this lower section may be wholly contained within the middle section.

Middle section 40 is pivoted to the upper section at 21. Hinge pin 21 extends through the anges of the two sections connected together. This pin also serves as a hinge pin for brace 25 and the spring steel folding brace.

i Lower section 4I is pivoted to the middle section at 42. The lower section carries a latch 43 which engages the edge of an opening 44 in the web of the upper section when the middle section is folded into' closed position against the upper section. Latch 43 slides in a slot 45 in slot 45. Pin 48, extending from both sides of the latch, keeps the latch from falling out of its slot toward the inside of the leg.

The nested position of the sections is illustrated ln Figs. 6 and 7. When latch 43 is released, middle section 40 will spring away from its nested position, as `shown in Fig. 8. 'I'his is because of the springiness inherent in the construction and pivotal connection of lower leg section 4I. 'I'he lower leg section is pivoted to the middle section at 42 and the position of this pin relative to the depths of the flanges of the middle and lower section'is such that the lower section can be nested into the middle section only by defiecting the lower section. This is because the edges of its iianges in the vicinity of the pivot pin 42l strike the web portion of the middle section. As illustrated in Fig. 8, when latch 43 is released, the foot end 50 of the lower section resiliently pressesagainst the web of the upper section and cause the middle section to leave its nested position. This latch causes the foot end of the lower section toleave its nested position within the middle section. 'I'his construction facilitates the extraction of both of the nested sections.

The foot end 50 is preferably provided with a ferrule supporting a rubber `foot.

The-upper end of the middle section carries a latch 5I which is similar in construction to latch 43. The nose of this latch is designed to engage lip 52 at the lower end of the upper section when the middle section is fully extended. This serves to lock the middle and upper section in the extended positions.

Latch 43, in addition to serving the function already described, i. e., keeping the sections nested together, serves the additional purpose of latching the lower and middle sections together when theyare extended. When extended, this latch 43 comes into position for engaging lip 53 at the lower end of the middle section.

In thedescription of the pivotal connection between the lower section and the middle section, I have described how I produce suicient springiness in the. lower section to cause the unnesting of the sections automatically. This I have described as being obtained by the position of the pivot pin between the lower and middle sections. In Fig. 10 I illustrate another manner in which this springiness may be obtained. In the latter method I provide a stamped portion 54 in the flanges of the'lower section 55 a shortl distance from the hinge pin 56. This limits the natural folding position ofthe lower section within the middle section 51 and in order to place it into nested position it is necessary to ilex the lower or middle section, or both. The energy stored in doing this is released when the catch is released so that when this occurs the two sections spring out of their nested relationship. This causes unnesting of all of the sections as previously explained.

What is claimed is: 1

1. In combination, a combined case and table, said case having a base for serving as a table top and a cover hinged to the base, a subbase having a rail about its edges, hinges pivotally connecting together the base and sub-base whereby the sub-base may be swung into place at the under-side of the base to form a compartment or extended alongside the base to provide a shelf, legs foldable into said compartment, one of said legs being pivotally supported by one of the hinges between the base and sub-base,` and the other of said legs being pivotally supported at the under-side of said base adjacent the edge of the base opposite said hinge and first named leg, a folding brace for each of said legs, said braces being hinged to therunder-side of the base, and a lfourth folding brace connected with said iirst-named leg andextending to the inner side of said sub-base, said brace serving to pivot and raise the mst-named leg from its lfolded' position against the under-side of the base as the sub-base ismoved from its closed position and pivoted about the common pivotal point for the sub-base and leg.

2. Incombination, a combined case and. table, said case having a' base for serving as a table top and a cover hinged to the base, a sub-base having a rail about its edges, hinges pivotally connecting together the base and sub-base whereby the subbase may be swung into place at the under-side of the base to form a compartment or extended alongside the base to. provide a shelf, legs foldable into said compartment, one of said legs being pivotally supported adjacent one edge of the base, and two of said legs being pivotally sup- 3. In combination, a combined case and table,`

said case having a base for serving as a, table top and a cover hinged to the base, a sub-base having a rail about its edges, hinges pivotally connecting together the base and sub-base whereby the sub-base may be swung into place at the underside of the base to form a compartment, legs ioldable into said compartment', one of said legs being pivotally supported adjacent one edge of the base, and two of said legs being pivotally supported at the under-side of said base adjacent ythe edge of the base opposite said`first-named leg, and braces adapted to maintain the legs in extended,position during use, said last-named legs having two of said braces connected together whereby the two legs are caused to pivot together when either is raised from against the bottom of the table.

4. In combination, a combined case and table, said case having a base for serving as a table top and a cover hinged tothe base, a sub-base having a rail about its edges, hingesr pivotally connecting together the base and sub-base whereby the sub-base may be swung into place at the under-side of the base to form a compartment, three legs foldable into said compartment, one of said legs being pivotally supported adjacent one edge of the base, and the other of said legs constituting a pair of legs pivotally mounted for two degrees of freedom at the under-side of said base adjacent theedge of the base opposite said first-named leg, a pair of braces connected for joint movement, one of said braces being connected to one of the legs of said pair of legs and the other being connected to the other of said pair of legs, said braces being pivotally connected to each other and so related to the pair of -legs as to cause said Vlegs to spread from each other as they are unfolded, and a folding brace connecting each leg with the bottom of the base.

5. In combination, a combined case and table, said case having a base for serving as a table top, a plurality of legs pivotally mounted on the under-side of said base, each of said legs comprising .three channel-shaped sections having a length less than the width of said base and a compivotally connecting the ends of the intermediate urge the two sections away from each other when the lower section is folded within the channel of the intermediate section, and latch means to maintain the lower section in folded relation with 'reference to the intermediate section, which when released permits the lower section to spring n out of its folded position withinthe intermediate section.

6. 'The combination set forth in claim"5 in which the latch also serves to lock the upper section to the'intermediate section when the sections are extended.Y

. '7. In combination, a combined case and table,

said case having a base for serving as a table top having folding legs pivotally connected to the underside thereof, each of said legs having three channel sections with the lower section smaller in cross-section and adapted to fit within the next higher section, pivot pins hinging successive sections to each other, said pivot pins being so placed as to limit th open'position of the sections in respect to each other, and the pivot pins hinging the lower and intermediate sections also being so placed as to require exing of the lower section for fits encasement within the channel.

3Q of the. intermediate section whereby there is a continued tendency for the lower section to rise from confinement within the intermediate section, a latch' for maintaining the sections of the legs in folded relation, and braces pivotally connected to the table top` and to the upper sections of the iegs for bracing the legs when they are unfolded v and the tabl'eis in use.

8. In combination, a combined case and table, said case having a base for serving as a table top for supporting a typewriter and having folding legs pivotally connected to the underside thereof, two of said pivotal connections being adjacent one edge of the table top and the pivotal connection for a third leg being adjacent an edge opposite said first-named, edge, each of said legs being made up of ja plurality of extensible sections, the length of the longest of which is just within the dimension of the table top extending from the point of pivotal support of the leg to the edge of 50 the table top opposite said point of pivotalsupvport so that the legs may be folded against the bottom of the table top and contained within the area of a standard base of a typewriter while also being extendable for supporting a typewriter atl the regulation height for typewriter operation.

` 9. In combination, a combined case and table, said case having a basefor serving as a table top for supporting a typewriter and having folding legs pivotally connected to the underside thereof, each of said legs having three channel sections with the -lower sections smaller in cross-section and adapted to t within the next higher section, pins passing through the iianges of the channel sections for joiningthe lower intermediate and upper sections in folding relation, the pivotal connection of the upper section of each leg with the table top being adjacent an edge of the table top, two of said pivotal connections being adjacent one edge and the pivotal connection for a third leg being adjacent an opposite edge, the leg sections of each leg all being of substantially the same length with the longest section of the leg rbeing of a length just tting within the dimension of the table top extending from the point of pivotal support of the leg to the edge of the table top opposite said point of pivotal support, whereby said legs which aredesigned to support the i table top above the iioor at normal elevation for typewriter use may be folded within an area no larger than the combined typewriter base and table top.

10. In combination, a combined case and table, said case having a base for servingas a table top for a portable typewriter, a cover hinged to the base for enclosing the typewriter, a sub-base s upportedly attached to the underside of said base my means of hinges adjacent an edge of the basewhereby the sub-base may be swung into place at the underside of the base to form a compartment, legs attached to the underside of said base and foldable into said compartment, a pair of said folding legs being pivotally supported at the underside of said baseadjacent the edge of the base opposite said first-named edge, braces for maintaining said pair of folding legs in extended position when the base is in use as a table, another of said legs being pivotally supported upon the same hinge line asthat of'said hinge between thev base and sub-base, a foldable brace extending from said leg to the bottom of the base for maintaining said leg in unfolded position when vthe base is being used as a table, and another folding brace between said leg and sub-base whereby the subbase may be raised alongside the base to provide a shelf or permitted to hang downwardly, as desired. l1. In combination, -a typewriter box having a base to which a typewriter may be attached, said base having walls surrounding the base and rising from the side of the base adapted to support the typewriter, a cover comprising atop coexten' sive with said base and having side walls which together with the side walls on the base constitutes the side walls of a typewriter compartment, said base and cover being connected by hinges, a combined sub-base and shelf comprising a board coextensive with the area of said base, a rail about the edges of said board, and hinges between said sub-base and base whereby the sub-base may be placed underneath said base with the rail thereof in contact with said base to form a compartment at the under-side of said typewriter box or may be placed in a position to one side of the base so as to form a shelf alongside of said base and with the rail thereof underneath the shelf, as desired.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 in which folding legs are secured to the under-side of the base, said folding legs being made up of sections of such length as to be accommodated within the compartment formed by the sub-base when the legs are folded.

HAROLD HOWE. 

